It’s all happening, Melbourne. Or more to the point, not a lot has been happening of late which makes all of the things that are about to happen Something Of Note.

Strange Wolf, the inner-city burger joint and bar that lived up to its name courtesy of decorations made from hair, has reached the end of its lease and shut up shop. The owners (who also captain the Grace Darling in Collingwood), have taken over the Star next door to the pub and are planning on turning it into a pizza palace with the punniest names in town with the help of the boys from A Boy Named Sue in St Andrews.

The Town Mouse has been kicking arse and taking names with its delicate share plates and red hot kiwi hospitality all year, and now they’ve finally finished work on their courtyard out the back so you can take your blushing G and Ts in the sun. Boom.

And while we’re on the topic of raging hot restaurants of note, Scott Pickett and Joe Grbac are launching phase two of their whimsical mod-Oz eatery Saint Crispin. You might not have known about the beautiful old room upstairs at Cavallero (they mostly used it for functions), but you’re about to get acquainted with it under the bar name of Thomas Olive. Expert booze wrangler James Tait (Der Raum, 1806) is in charge and that’s a reason to get excited right there. The man can mix. Add to that the fact that you can summon up the giant pork scratchings and salt cod dip from downstairs and you’ve got yourself a party. The bar opens officially next Wednesday.

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It’s the blog of Time Out Melbourne. While our main site is your one-stop city guide and review hub (in which you can let your strong feelings on dumpling houses be known), Bourne this Way will delve into newsworthy stories surrounding Melbourne.